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RECAP & TAKEAWAYS: Kentucky Takes Down Kentucky State 99-53 in Final Exhibition

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Tyler Ulis and Rob Dillingham walking off the court together after the Kentucky Wildcats win a preseason exhibition.
UK Athletics

What a fun outing from the Kentucky Wildcats on Thursday night against Kentucky State.

Kentucky defeated the Kentucky State Thorobreds 99-53 in their final exhibition of the season. Early on, Kentucky took advantage of transition opportunities they got from forcing turnovers. The same was true in the second half, as the Thorobreds ended the game with only 13 turnovers committed, but it felt like it was double that.

All five members of the starting five reach double-digit scoring figures as well. If UK put out just the starters, Kentucky would have won by 24 points, 77-53. Safe to say, it was a fun night in Rupp Arena, but here’s what there was to take away from the game:

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Tre Mitchell Holding Down the Fort

Kentucky was (again) without their 21 feet of big men. Prior to the game, John Calipari mentioned that Zvonimir Ivisic will go through warm ups, but he was actually never in Rupp Arena to begin with.

Ivisic got food poisoning in a team dinner, and the team doctor ordered that he stayed home and rested, according to Calipari. Of course, Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso are still out as they continue to recover from their injuries.

That being said, however, Tre Mitchell did more than enough to fill in the missing shoes of the three big men. Mitchell finished the night with 15 points on 6-9 shooting (3-5 from three). He also had ten rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks. Solid all-around night for the former West Virginia Mountaineer.

Wagner, Edwards Finding Their Rhythym

It has been no secret that while DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards have been good, they haven’t been great, like they were expected to be. However, that was not the narrative against Kentucky State. Instead, Wagner and Edwards showed off their lottery pick (or even top five pick) potential.

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Wagner shot an efficient 50% from the field, going 5-10 to score 12 points. He was challenged to be more than just a scorer by the coaching staff, however. Specifically, they wanted him to be a better passer and set up teammates for buckets, and he did that. He would end the exhibition with 7 assists.

Edwards was also prolific on the hardwood against Kentucky State on Thursday night. Edwards started the game 5-5 with 10 points, and he only added to his stat line from there. He finished with 17 points on 8-12 shooting while also accumulating nine rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Great night of basketball from Wagner and Edwards.

Antonio “Threeves” is Back

Kentucky’s best shooter was Antonio Reeves on Thursday night. Shocker, right? Kidding, but it was nice to see Reeves finally get things rolling in Rupp Arena again. He shined in Canada and even during the blue-white game at NKU, but between Big Blue Madness and the Georgetown exhibition, Reeves had been struggling to find his shot in Rupp.

Well, I think it’s safe to say that Reeves did not struggle to make shots against Kentucky State. To begin the exhibition, it seemed like it may be another rough night for him, but that quickly turned around.

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Reeves would put up a team-leading 20 points, going 4-6 from three point land. Finally, Kentucky got their three point assassin back. It seemed like anytime Reeves had the ball in his hand, there was an electrifying dagger on the way. Good to see him rekindle the fire Thursday night.


Overall, there were A LOT of positives that came from Thursday’s exhibition. Everyone seemed to be firing on all cylinders. John Calipari’s squad did even more than they were expected to against Kentucky State. The season officially begins right back in Rupp Arena against New Mexico State on November 6th. You can view the box score from the exhibition here.

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Men's Basketball

Amari Williams Selected No. 46 by the Boston Celtics in the 2025 NBA Draft

Amari Williams is the second Kentucky player selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, as Boston takes the big man with their second round pick.

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Amari Williams is drafted by the Boston Celtics.
Wesley Hale | Imagn Images

Fan-favorite big man (and official Weetabix sponsor) Amari Williams has officially made it to the big leagues, taken by the Boston Celtics with the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, via a trade with the Orlando Magic.

The selection makes Williams the second Wildcat to be scooped up from this year’s pool, following Koby Brea being picked by the Phoenix Suns just five picks earlier at the 41st spot. From Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team, two transfer athletes (thus far) in their last year of eligibility have achieved next-level dreams by way of the blue and white.

Williams, who averaged 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game during his lone season in Lexington, will look to aid Boston in filling their recently vacant five-spot, left by the recently traded Kristaps Porzingis.

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As Wildcat fans surely know, not only can Williams battle with the best of them in the paint, but he can run the floor as efficiently as just about any guard, too. His versatility and sizable frame ensure a high ceiling in the NBA and, despite not every draft board seeing him selected, the league champions two years removed made the call when it mattered.

Hailing overseas from Nottingham, England, and spending his first four years of college basketball at the University of Drexel, Williams’ success is a testament not only to Kentucky Basketball’s immaculate tradition, but to his own incredible work ethic and intangible ability.

Cats fans will be sure to follow and support their point-center to the next level, as they always do. Go be great, Amari – all of BBN has your back.

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Koby Brea Selected No. 41 by the Phoenix Suns in the 2025 NBA Draft

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Tristan Pharis | KY Insider

Koby Brea arrived at Kentucky last season as one of the nation’s deadliest shooters, lived up to the billing, and reaped his rewards on Thursday night at the NBA Draft. The former Kentucky star is heading to the Phoenix Suns with the No. 41 overall pick

As a 6-foot-7 wing, Brea entered the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most experienced prospects after spending four years at Dayton and a fifth at Kentucky during Mark Pope’s successful first season as head coach, where he became one of the best three-point shooters in all of college basketball.

Last season at Kentucky, the Bronx native averaged 11.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc on nearly six attempts per game in 36 games, 16 of which were starts, showcasing his scoring ability in transition, off the catch, and via handoffs and screens.

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Not only did Brea achieve his own dreams of playing at the next level, but becomes a piece of history for Pope, becoming the first player drafted out of Kentucky during the Pope era.

Brea joins a rebuilding franchise with a notorious background for drafting Kentucky guards. Eric Bledsoe rings the bell, Tyler Ulis of course, and the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, Devin Booker obviously leads the pack.

Go be great Fuego!

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Men's Basketball

How a Call with Mark Pope Led Denzel Aberdeen to Kentucky

After winning a national title at Florida, Denzel Aberdeen committed to Kentucky without ever visiting campus—thanks to a revealing three-hour call with head coach Mark Pope.

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Chet White | UK Athletics

As a junior, Denzel Aberdeen was a key part of Florida’s national title run. But a certain phone conversation convinced him to leave his home state and head north to Lexington in hopes of experiencing that feeling once again.

He had never set foot in Lexington before deciding to become a Kentucky Wildcat — and he didn’t need to. All it took was one phone call — three hours long, on Easter Sunday — with head coach Mark Pope to convince him that he belonged in blue and white.

“Our phone call lasted about three hours, to be honest,” Aberdeen said, meeting with the media in Lexington for the first time earlier this week. “A lot of it was just getting to know me and getting to know the school, the university, getting to know him (Pope), how their style was, a lot of film. Once I saw that, I was like this looks like a great guy to play for.”

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The two went on to discuss Aberdeen’s role at Kentucky in more depth, including how Pope envisions him fitting into Kentucky’s new system — a system that, according to Aberdeen, is very similar, if not better than the one he just left.

“We had a lot of great players at Florida, especially the tall bigs. Bigs that love to run there, and we have just as much here; our bigs love to run, they play defense, and they play at a fast pace. So I think the things that we’ve got here are just as good, or even better,” Aberdeen said.

Averaging 7.7 points and nearly 20 minutes per game off the bench for the Gators last year, it’s clear to see what Aberdeen brings to the team: experience, versatility, calmness in the backcourt, and championship pedigree. Pope’s phone conversation with Aberdeen wasn’t just impactful on the court — it also speaks volumes to what he is doing off the court in pursuit of the goal he laid out in his introductory press conference: to hang banners.

This phone call wasn’t just about Denzel Aberdeen. It was a glimpse into Pope’s player-first, transparent coaching approach, which could define his era at Kentucky — and potentially make this season a special one, with Aberdeen playing another key role in a deep NCAA Tournament run.

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“I know the goal is to win No. 9,” he said. “I know the fans want that, we want that, all the staff and coaches want that. That pushes us. We know what we gotta do when we come here and put on that Kentucky jersey. Just playing for the University of Kentucky is a big thing. Being here is a blessing, and I can’t look back.”

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